rule /ru:l/ I. n. ［c］1. 规则，规定，常规：obey the rules服从规章制度；rules for grammar 语法规则 as a rule 一般说来：As a rule I like to be alone and undisturbed. 通常我喜欢独自一人，不受任何干扰。 2. 统治，管理：be under the rule of a cruel king 在一个残暴国王的统治下 ‖II.vt. & vi. 1. 统治：By what country was Mali once ruled? 马里曾被哪个国家统治过? America was ruled by Wall Street. 华尔街统治着美国。2. 用于短语动词 rule out 排除；使不可能：I’m afraid we can’t rule out the possibility that she may have the disease.我担心我们不能排除她可能患有这种疾病的可能性。Dad’s leg injury rules out a skiing holiday this year.爸爸腿受伤了，今年不可能再去度假滑雪了。